Five mine detection dogs (MDD) standards have been developed as part of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) package, and were formally approved by the UN in 2002. These are:
- IMAS 09.40 - Guide for the use of MDDs
- IMAS 09.41 - Operational procedures for MDD
- IMAS 09.42 - Operational accreditation of mine dogs
- IMAS 09.43 - Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST)
- IMAS 09.44 - Guide to medical and general health care of dogs
The revision of standards is time-consuming and costly, and so should be avoided if there is no real need, or if there are few changes to the original conditions.
However, the results from field-testing of the standards and from the studies reviewed by the GICHD imply that a comprehensive revision will be required.
The completion of research components will likely result in the production of a series of (technical notes in mine action (TNMA). So far one TNMA, "How do dogs detect landmines?", has been developed. It has been incorporated into the MDD book (see MDD book index, chapter 5, part 1).
For more information about the IMAS series of standards, visit the IMAS section.
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